Juninho: Benzema not suitable captain

Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps has previously said that he is looking to strip the armband from current skipper Hugo Lloris and give it to an outfield player when a suitable candidate is found.

Juninho saw Benzema emerge from the Lyon youth academy to become a fully-fledged first-team member at the Stade de Gerland.

But although Benzema has since moved to Real Madrid and has 64 France caps to his name, the former Brazil international told RMC he feels the striker does not have the character required to be given the added responsibility.

"I've often defended him, but he's not a natural leader” he said. “He takes advantage of the excellent teammates he has around him.

“He's going to score goals often, but he must not be the France captain, because he's not a real leader."